Description
This Make Ahead Ravioli Casserole is a comforting layered dish featuring cheese ravioli, savory hamburger in marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, all baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for meal prep or a family dinner, this casserole can be assembled in advance and baked when ready. Optional parmesan and fresh parsley add extra flavor and garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 25 oz. package Cheese Ravioli (frozen)
- 23 oz. jar Marinara Sauce
- 1 pound hamburger (ground beef)
Cheeses
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Garnish
- Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Hamburger: Brown the ground hamburger in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain any excess fat. Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked hamburger until well combined. Spoon one-third of this hamburger mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer Ingredients: Place a layer of frozen cheese ravioli over the hamburger mixture in the dish. Then add another layer consisting of one-third of the remaining hamburger mixture followed by one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. If desired, sprinkle the optional grated parmesan cheese evenly over the cheese layer.
- Cover and Bake: Lightly spray a sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick baking spray to prevent cheese from sticking, then cover the casserole with the foil. Bake covered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and bubble.
- Garnish and Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with minced fresh parsley if using. Let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. If baking from cold, increase baking time by about 15 minutes.
- Adjust the number of servings by changing the size of your baking dish. A smaller dish will require a shorter baking time.
- This casserole may also be cooked in a slow cooker: cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 3 hours.
- You can substitute ground sausage for the hamburger for a different flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
